Overview
Allister has twenty eight years' experience as a barrister in independent practice in Criminal Law. He has prosecuted and defended in significant cases in London, the South East and the Midlands. His practice comprises the prosecution of serious and organised crime and substantial fraud and he regularly defends in cases of murder and historic sexual assault.
Allister is a highly regarded and sought after leading junior. He has particular experience in cross jurisdictional prosecutions and is skilled in prosecutions for offences under the Serious Crime Act 2007. He regularly prosecutes lengthy, complex, multi-defendant cases for the South East Complex Casework Unit and the Central London Special Casework Unit.
Allister maintains a significant defence practice in the South East and the Midlands which includes in particular cases of murder and historic sexual assault. He has successfully defended in cases of murder, child cruelty and sexual assault and is regularly instructed in cases of serious violence and drug trafficking.
Professional panel appointments
- Allister is a Level 4 Advocate on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Panel of Approved Counsel.
- Allister is also on the CPS Serious Crime Group Specialist Panel of advocates.
- Band C (10 years' call and above) appointed advocate for the General Dental Council (GDC).
Criminal Prosecutions - Private & Public & Criminal Defence
Allister is instructed to defend and prosecute throughout London and the south east, both in trial and confiscation work. He is instructed to provide advice and conduct trials in cases including all forms of homicide, sexual offences, child cruelty, armed robbery, substantial fraud, money laundering and drug offences.
He has significant experience of dealing with multi defendant cases alleging conspiracy and complex fraud. He has worked with the security services in sensitive cases and regularly advised on issues of Public Interest Immunity.
Allister has been instructed to advise and conduct new appeals in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division. He has acquired contemporary and particular expertise in cases involving the importation, distribution and supply of chemical powders as cutting agents to the illicit drugs trade. He is an expert in cases where criminal allegations of assault arise from lawful sporting contests.
Professional Memberships
- South Eastern Circuit.
- Criminal Bar Association.
- Kent Bar Mess.
Cases of Note
R v James McCarthy [2015]
Representing the defendant in this serial murder and attempted murder case in Nottingham.
R v Colin Ash-Smith [2014]
Defence junior in the cold case murder of the Kent school girl Claire Tiltman in 1993 at the crown Court at Inner London.
R v Noel McCalla [2014]
Allister appeared for the defendant in a successful defence of charges of historic gang rape at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Omar Sadique and R [2013] EWCA Crim 1150
Representing the prosecution in the final act of the Sadique saga; a successful response to Sadique’s appeal before Lord Judge LCJ, Openshaw J and Griffith Williams J. This leading judgment defined the ambit and application of Section 46 of the Serious Crime Act.
Operation Waxwing/Dynamite, R v Sadique and others, 2012
Prosecution Leading Junior, 9 defendants on charges of assisting in the supply of controlled drugs under section 46 Serious Crime Act 2007 and conspiracy to supply cocaine. The case involved the national distribution of chemical cutting agents such as benzocaine and lidocaine. Other defendants were regional distributors of cutting agents and yet others suppliers of the adulterated cocaine.
Operation Waxwing/Dynamite R v S and H [2011] EWCA Crim 2872
As leading junior a prosecution under Section 46 of the Serious Crime Act 2007, encouraging or assisting in crime. This was one of the first prosecutions under this section of The Act to be brought in a case of the national distribution of chemicals as cutting agents to the drug trade. It was the first to be heard in the Court of Appeal.
R v Samwell, 2011
Prosecuting, child neglect. Mother accused of leaving children in burning house.
R v Chappell, 2011
Defending mother, child cruelty. Mother accused of wilful neglect in a case where 3 month old baby sustained broken clavicles.
R v Peto, 2011
Prosecuting Causing Death by Careless Driving.
R v Dodge, 2010
Defending, Sexual Assault.
R v Mollulo and Ors, 2010
Prosecuting, Conspiracy to facilitate Illegal Entry, 5 defendants.
Operation Perfect, R v Corrigan, Johnson and Bennett, 2010
Prosecuting, cash in transit armed robbery.
Operation Vermont, R v Williams and others, 2009
Prosecution Leading Junior. Conspiracy to Control Prostitution for Gain and Conspiracy to Traffic Prostitutes for Sexual Exploitation. The investigation revealed the exploitation of Chinese prostitutes in Kent and the consequent removal of substantial sums from the jurisdiction to bank accounts in the Far East.
Operation Jumelle/Joggle, R v Ikuini and Others, 2009
Prosecution Leading Junior.Welfare, Rural and Health Division of the CPS. Girocheque manipulation fraud.
R v Shah and Lokat, 2009
Prosecuting substantial NHS fraud in which fraudulent invoices were submitted for payment on behalf of a registered Podiatrist.
Operation Lapwing, R v Ferreira and Others, 2008
Prosecution Leading Junior. Pensions and identity fraud, six defendants.
R v Vos, 2008
Prosecuting, high profile double case of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
R v Paul Day 2007
Defending, led junior in the murder trial of Paul Day at The Old Bailey.
Operation Warbler, R v Siadvytis and Kiskyte, 2007
Prosecution Leading Junior, international car ringing charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
R v Tirnaveanu [2007] 2 Cr. App. R 23 CA.
Bad character evidence: To fall within Section 98(a) Criminal Justice Act 2003 the evidence must have some nexus in time with the offence charged.
Operation Carnival, R v Lombardi and McCarthy, 2007
Prosecution Leading Junior, money laundering, fraud and Civil Aviation Act Offences.
R v Portway 2006
Defending double Death by Dangerous Driving, Old Bailey.
R v Barnes [2005] 1 Cr. App. R 30 CA.
Responding guideline case in respect of prosecutions brought as a result of injuries sustained during lawful sporting contests.